City of Cedar Rapids issued the following announcement on September 28.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department will host Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Dash Coffee, 120 3rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids.
All community members are invited to attend this informal event to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Cedar Rapids neighborhoods.
The majority of contacts that law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities that they serve.
The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.
Original source can be found here.